Hornady 168 Match load question

[cattleman99]

Hello, I have a Remington 700 SPF varmint in .308 and a 26" barrel. I tried some different loads, and with 1-12" twist I could not get 178 ELD-X to group well. I ended up choosing Hornady Match 168 gr BTHP. I understand the BC is low on that bullet, but I am wondering how far out you think that round will be good to?

Hornady 168 gr Match BTHP
44 gr Varget
Winchester Brass
Federal GM primers large rifle
shoots just under half MOA with factory barrel and action

So, how far out is it good to? Anyone know of an approximate velocity? I do not have a chronograph.

Anyone know how I can shrink those groups?

Thanks

 

[rweaver00geo]

I shoot a very similar load with .5 more grains out of a 20" barrel and it chronos 2640 so my guess for you with 6 more inches of barrel would be about 2750.

 

[cattleman99]

I shoot a very similar load with .5 more grains out of a 20" barrel and it chronos 2640 so my guess for you with 6 more inches of barrel would be about 2750.

That would make sense. Do you have any idea of how far out it would be good to?

 

[combatgrunt84]

I shoot the 168grn Amax with 42.0grns Varget at 2448 out of my Gas Gun to 500 so far no issues.

 

[Gundoc]

I’m running the 168 Amax over 43. Something of Varget, .6moa at 100, first round hits out to 800. Gets squirrelley at 909 though.
That’s out of an 18” AIAX308

 

[rweaver00geo]

I shoot a very similar load with .5 more grains out of a 20" barrel and it chronos 2640 so my guess for you with 6 more inches of barrel would be about 2750.

sorry for the long delay in a response, I've personally only shot out to 400 yards and it was 2.5 mils low. The last time i checked a ballistics calculator I think I run out of gas at 800.

 

[cattleman99]

I shoot the 168grn Amax with 42.0grns Varget at 2448 out of my Gas Gun to 500 so far no issues.

What is the BC on that bullet?

 

[tnbowhunter]

If your at 1/2 moa I wouldn’t worry about shrinking it much more in a factory rig. That’s pretty dang good. In my experience with Remington factory chambers I prefer 175 smk’s. Although they are not the highest bc bullet out these days they are good out to at least 1000 yards. Most Remington’s have an insanely long throat and the smk don’t seem to mind the jump. I’ve not had a factory Remington 308 yet that didn’t like 44 grains of varget with a 175 matchking

 

[cattleman99]

If your at 1/2 moa I wouldn’t worry about shrinking it much more in a factory rig. That’s pretty dang good. In my experience with Remington factory chambers I prefer 175 smk’s. Although they are not the highest bc bullet out these days they are good out to at least 1000 yards. Most Remington’s have an insanely long throat and the smk don’t seem to mind the jump. I’ve not had a factory Remington 308 yet that didn’t like 44 grains of varget with a 175 matchking

Right now the COAL is at 2.800" and the jump to the lands is .125" which is incredibly long. I haven't tried 175 SMK yet, may give them a go.

 

[combatgrunt84]

What is the BC on that bullet?

The G1 is .475

 

[isofahunter]

900-950 yards it starts to fall apart performance wise.

 

[JBMills]

Like Gundoc, my load of 43.2gr @ 2700fps is good at 800 and marginal past 900. I don't really trust my old F1 chrony so that velocity may or may not be accurate.